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Necroforms
"The burial will be in about a week. I'll contact you with the precise date and time."
"You can cremate her if you want. Save yourself some money."
Hunt turned on him. "That would be utterly improper. Fire mustn't touch her. It is proper that she is laid in the ground in accordance with her profound wishes."
James felt his face flushing after the Undertaker's ticking off. Then the anger kicked in. "She's dead. It's not like she's going to know."
"The only absence of knowledge is your own, Mr Guest. Now good day."
"You can cremate her if you want. Save yourself some money."
Hunt turned on him. "That would be utterly improper. Fire mustn't touch her. It is proper that she is laid in the ground in accordance with her profound wishes."
James felt his face flushing after the Undertaker's ticking off. Then the anger kicked in. "She's dead. It's not like she's going to know."
"The only absence of knowledge is your own, Mr Guest. Now good day."
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2011
6 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Paul Melhuish
17 books10 followersPaul’s publishing history includes a short story in Dark Horizons, (The British Fantasy Society’s fiction magazine) about a farm that bred humans for meat. More recently a story of his was featured in issue 13 of Murky Depths magazine. This joyful piece was a satire on euthanasia entitled Do Not Resuscitate. In October 2010 one of his stories was included in the anthology Shoes, Ships and Cadavers: Tales from Northlondonshire. Edited by Ian Whates and Ian Watson with an introduction by Alan Moore (a Kindle version of this anthology is being considered by NewCon Press for release during 2011).
During spring 2011, Greyhart Press released a couple of Paul’s short stories as e-books (Fearworld and Necroforms), and followed this up in July with Babel, a short story that introduces the #Skyfire space opera/ horror universe.
In the Skyfire Saga, Paul deploys his unique blend of darkly cynical humor, and shambolic anti-heroes that somehow manage (sometimes) to triumph against the odds. Underneath the hellish set pieces, the page-turning plots, and the filthy Skyfirean vernacular, there lies a rich spiritual vein that underpins Paul’s writing. Any similarities between Paul’s anti-heroes and himself are purely coincidental.
The first Skyfirean novel, Terminus, will be released by Greyhart Press in fall 2011.
During spring 2011, Greyhart Press released a couple of Paul’s short stories as e-books (Fearworld and Necroforms), and followed this up in July with Babel, a short story that introduces the #Skyfire space opera/ horror universe.
In the Skyfire Saga, Paul deploys his unique blend of darkly cynical humor, and shambolic anti-heroes that somehow manage (sometimes) to triumph against the odds. Underneath the hellish set pieces, the page-turning plots, and the filthy Skyfirean vernacular, there lies a rich spiritual vein that underpins Paul’s writing. Any similarities between Paul’s anti-heroes and himself are purely coincidental.
The first Skyfirean novel, Terminus, will be released by Greyhart Press in fall 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 30, 2012
4.5/5 Stars
I picked up Paul Melhuish’s short story “Necroforms” on a whim last week and read it almost immediately. The story starts out simply enough and could easily have taken a route countless other horror stories have taken. James Guest’s mother has died, and while he is forced to tend to the funeral preparations, odd things start to happen at the old woman’s house.
But Melhuish takes the story in a completely unexpected and eerie direction. I’ll keep this review spoiler-free, but know that this tale is not your standard ghost story!
The language is direct and very easy to read, but still chilling. There is a fantastic sense of atmosphere in the story, which takes place predominantly in a very remote area in the country. Really, my only complaint would be that the story ends too abruptly. The concept, however, is very original and offers a twist that I certainly didn’t see coming.
“Necroforms” is still free to download on Kindle at the moment, and I highly recommend it. It’s a creepy short story that certainly offers its fair share of scares!
I picked up Paul Melhuish’s short story “Necroforms” on a whim last week and read it almost immediately. The story starts out simply enough and could easily have taken a route countless other horror stories have taken. James Guest’s mother has died, and while he is forced to tend to the funeral preparations, odd things start to happen at the old woman’s house.
But Melhuish takes the story in a completely unexpected and eerie direction. I’ll keep this review spoiler-free, but know that this tale is not your standard ghost story!
The language is direct and very easy to read, but still chilling. There is a fantastic sense of atmosphere in the story, which takes place predominantly in a very remote area in the country. Really, my only complaint would be that the story ends too abruptly. The concept, however, is very original and offers a twist that I certainly didn’t see coming.
“Necroforms” is still free to download on Kindle at the moment, and I highly recommend it. It’s a creepy short story that certainly offers its fair share of scares!
July 26, 2016
Necroforms is one disturbing short story. But make no mistake: Although it entwines the common notions of apparition and ghost-like, life-sucking creatures, this is not the usual ghost story. It is well-written to the point that it makes you shiver, which I guess is what a horror story should be all about. The concept was pretty interesting, and I would have loved to have this a little bit more developed.
July 27, 2014
James' mother has died. Why then does she keep coming to him at night?
A creepy little short story.
4 STARS
A creepy little short story.
4 STARS
April 7, 2014
Estava indecisa quanto à minha leitura do mês de Novembro. Decidi dar uma vista de olhos pelos livros que tenho no Kindle, e encontrei este Necroforms, de Paul Melhuish, e pareceu-me uma boa escolha. Por ser uma short story, por ser um autor que não conhecia, pelo próprio género, tudo indicava que era o livro perfeito.
Necroforms conta a história de um jovem, James Guest, que tem de tratar do funeral da mãe, com quem não tinha uma relação muito boa, e como se não bastasse, a sua irmã desaparece do mapa. A ida à velha casa da mãe revela-se uma surpresa, e a partir daí James conhece uma realidade um pouco diferente.
A história promete. É um conceito já usado, mas mesmo assim bem explorado por Paul Melhuish. Temos vários elementos clássicos de um conto de terror, bem trabalhados. Temos a aura de mistério que fica por trás dos acontecimentos e as desconfianças relativas a certas personagens. Temos o conceito da assombração, como se alimenta e de quem se alimenta.
Mas, no final, temos o Necroform. E esta figura foi algo que me ultrapassou. Não foi pela grosseria ou pelo choque da imagem, mas sim pela vulgaridade. Apesar de a história ir numa direcção óbvia, penso que a revelação do Necroform deveria ter tido mais impacto, se calhar não apostar em algo tão violento e sim em algo mais sinistro. Todo o livro demonstra qualidade para tal, para um final melhor desenvolvido e com outro tipo de sentimento, não tão grotesco. Compreendo que tenha sido escrito com esse objectivo, mas eu enquanto leitora preferia ler um sinal mais assustador psicologicamente.
Tenho pena que o autor não tenha desenvolvido mais alguns aspectos da narrativa, como a relação dele com a mãe e com a irmã. O próprio mito do Necroform podia ser melhor trabalhado, assim como as personagens da funerária.
No final, acaba por ser um bom conto. Apesar de considerar que umas quantas páginas de explicações e apresentações de personagens não lhe ficavam nada mal, para os leitores que procuram um pequeno conto ligeiramente assustador, Necroforms é uma boa aposta.
http://eu-e-o-bam.blogspot.pt/2013/11...
Necroforms conta a história de um jovem, James Guest, que tem de tratar do funeral da mãe, com quem não tinha uma relação muito boa, e como se não bastasse, a sua irmã desaparece do mapa. A ida à velha casa da mãe revela-se uma surpresa, e a partir daí James conhece uma realidade um pouco diferente.
A história promete. É um conceito já usado, mas mesmo assim bem explorado por Paul Melhuish. Temos vários elementos clássicos de um conto de terror, bem trabalhados. Temos a aura de mistério que fica por trás dos acontecimentos e as desconfianças relativas a certas personagens. Temos o conceito da assombração, como se alimenta e de quem se alimenta.
Mas, no final, temos o Necroform. E esta figura foi algo que me ultrapassou. Não foi pela grosseria ou pelo choque da imagem, mas sim pela vulgaridade. Apesar de a história ir numa direcção óbvia, penso que a revelação do Necroform deveria ter tido mais impacto, se calhar não apostar em algo tão violento e sim em algo mais sinistro. Todo o livro demonstra qualidade para tal, para um final melhor desenvolvido e com outro tipo de sentimento, não tão grotesco. Compreendo que tenha sido escrito com esse objectivo, mas eu enquanto leitora preferia ler um sinal mais assustador psicologicamente.
Tenho pena que o autor não tenha desenvolvido mais alguns aspectos da narrativa, como a relação dele com a mãe e com a irmã. O próprio mito do Necroform podia ser melhor trabalhado, assim como as personagens da funerária.
No final, acaba por ser um bom conto. Apesar de considerar que umas quantas páginas de explicações e apresentações de personagens não lhe ficavam nada mal, para os leitores que procuram um pequeno conto ligeiramente assustador, Necroforms é uma boa aposta.
http://eu-e-o-bam.blogspot.pt/2013/11...
October 9, 2019
Ooh, this was creepy. It’s important to note that I don’t typically read horror or thriller novels, and consider myself sensitive to that type of entertainment.
James Guest receives a phone call from his sister, letting him know that his mother has died. It was his sister Liz’s responsibility to deal with funeral preparations and anything else dealing with their mother’s passing. However, Liz’s plans fall through, and she is nowhere to be found. James must deal with the arrangements all on his own, and he is not happy about that.
He’s a no nonsense kind of guy, and is quickly fed up with frustrations in his communications with the funeral director, or with the spooky happenings at his deceased mother’s cottage.
Reading this, I had no idea what a necroform is, but the story does a fine job of explaining the term. What I will say is this–this isn’t your average ghost story.
The author admits on one of the final pages after the story ends that this is a grotesque story. I agree with that statement, though it may not be the same for people with no aversion to horror.
James Guest receives a phone call from his sister, letting him know that his mother has died. It was his sister Liz’s responsibility to deal with funeral preparations and anything else dealing with their mother’s passing. However, Liz’s plans fall through, and she is nowhere to be found. James must deal with the arrangements all on his own, and he is not happy about that.
He’s a no nonsense kind of guy, and is quickly fed up with frustrations in his communications with the funeral director, or with the spooky happenings at his deceased mother’s cottage.
Reading this, I had no idea what a necroform is, but the story does a fine job of explaining the term. What I will say is this–this isn’t your average ghost story.
The author admits on one of the final pages after the story ends that this is a grotesque story. I agree with that statement, though it may not be the same for people with no aversion to horror.
July 5, 2013
(I received this book for free as part of Greyhart Press' 'read...review...repeat' offer).
(This review may contain spoilers).
This was a fairly quick read for me. (Well, most things are, but even so...) It put me in mind of the horror stories I used to read when I was much younger, though this was much more adult in nature.
I'm not sure what Necroforms are supposed to be or what's supposed to bring them about. The idea was certainly unique, if rather disturbing. I couldn't really connect with the main character of the story, though - he didn't come across as particularly likable.
The setting of this story was definitely creepy. As was the way the Necroform fed. I would have liked to read a longer novel, exploring more of the origin of these creatures and whether they truly are, or were, human.
I think this story will probably stay with me for a while now. It was entertaining and disturbing. I can't ask for much more from a horror story.
(This review may contain spoilers).
This was a fairly quick read for me. (Well, most things are, but even so...) It put me in mind of the horror stories I used to read when I was much younger, though this was much more adult in nature.
I'm not sure what Necroforms are supposed to be or what's supposed to bring them about. The idea was certainly unique, if rather disturbing. I couldn't really connect with the main character of the story, though - he didn't come across as particularly likable.
The setting of this story was definitely creepy. As was the way the Necroform fed. I would have liked to read a longer novel, exploring more of the origin of these creatures and whether they truly are, or were, human.
I think this story will probably stay with me for a while now. It was entertaining and disturbing. I can't ask for much more from a horror story.
March 7, 2012
This story started off great; but it ended in a big, ugly, nasty and utterly gruesome flop. First off, this story started with a plot and seems to have great promise. But as the story progressed, you can see that the author couldn't execute what the story was about. What I mean is this whole story was about a necroform, but when you get the definition of it; you are left thinking…..this author must have been smoking some serious sh#@! to come up with this rubbish.
And to be honest, the author could have made this story awesome; because you have an old village, the death of the main characters mother and the disappearance of another character. With all these elements the story could have been a great ghost story. But atlas, we were left with rubbish:-(
And to be honest, the author could have made this story awesome; because you have an old village, the death of the main characters mother and the disappearance of another character. With all these elements the story could have been a great ghost story. But atlas, we were left with rubbish:-(
August 27, 2012
It wasn't the wisest decision to read this while lying in bed at 4 in the morning. This pretty much kept me awake for 2 more hours thinking of "What if?"s. Having said that, the writing for this short horror story is good. Everything was descriptive enough, from the quaint little village to the apparition that haunts you. Even the use of expletives (albeit only 3 of them if I recall correctly) serves to give the reader a better glimpse into the personality of the main character, James Guest. There are some scary moments that I think have never been used before (or at least in any of the books and movies that I've read and watched).
April 24, 2014
This freebie novella wasn't as gruesome as other reviewers would have you believe. In fact, I think it was kind of average and easily forgettable. My main problem was that the suspense/build-up was let down by a weak ending.
The story had the right framework for a good full size novel: An old village, the death of the main character's mother and sister. But IMO we're left with only the outlines of what could have been an interesting story. I wanted more details, more gore, and a better explanation of why and how necroforms are created. And why someone would bother to shelter them in the first place.
The story had the right framework for a good full size novel: An old village, the death of the main character's mother and sister. But IMO we're left with only the outlines of what could have been an interesting story. I wanted more details, more gore, and a better explanation of why and how necroforms are created. And why someone would bother to shelter them in the first place.
July 23, 2013
This is a very disturbing, creepy ghost/horror story. The protagonist is well-drawn and Melhuish provides enough detail to bring the necroform and the secondary characters to life. The narrative glides smoothly towards its conclusion, dragging the reader along with it. I don't like the ending of the story buy maybe it simply adds to the terror. I also think the funeral directory character could be fleshed out more and we could learn more about the other inhabitants of the village. Still, it's well-written and evokes some horror.
September 19, 2013
Nice Creepy Read
This short story was nicely done. I was definitely creeped-out in a few spots.
The concept was one I had never heard before - Necroforms. Eeeew
I felt it could have been better if I felt a connection to James and Liz first - before all the creepy occurrences. I was told about them, not shown. Plus James was kind of a jerk.
Scary, tense scenes. I liked it.
This short story was nicely done. I was definitely creeped-out in a few spots.
The concept was one I had never heard before - Necroforms. Eeeew
I felt it could have been better if I felt a connection to James and Liz first - before all the creepy occurrences. I was told about them, not shown. Plus James was kind of a jerk.
Scary, tense scenes. I liked it.
December 31, 2012
This story was disturbing -- which is a great thing for a horror story. It was creepy and horrifying to think about, but I really liked it. The writing was good and the story was fast. I would have liked a little more about the characters early on, but overall, I think it worked.
April 28, 2013
this short story truly freaked me out.
a dead mother haunts her two grown children and feeds off of them. Whenever ghost mom appeared, I would bite myself, it truly scared me. so good job Mr Melhuish. I will definitely be reading more of your books
a dead mother haunts her two grown children and feeds off of them. Whenever ghost mom appeared, I would bite myself, it truly scared me. so good job Mr Melhuish. I will definitely be reading more of your books
February 22, 2014
James has been unexpectedly called to attend to his mother's funeral, yet there's something just not right in town.
Vivid and creepy narrative descriptions guide the reader through the haunting mystery.
Characters are authentic, flawed, and varied.
Overall, an interesting.
Vivid and creepy narrative descriptions guide the reader through the haunting mystery.
Characters are authentic, flawed, and varied.
Overall, an interesting.
November 13, 2015
Was a fairly average ghost story however it did have some genuinely interesting ideas. Ultimately somewhat forgettable and let down by a weak ending however I would be interested in seeing what else the author has written.
October 29, 2014
Not a bad short story by any means, especially for free, but not a whole lot there either. Some good parts let down by the lack of substance elsewhere. If it were maybe 50 pages and had more to it I would've gone higher.
March 6, 2012
This story has scared me so much that I'm sleeping with the robe light on.
April 5, 2012
Okay book. I like the plot of this book. To me about 20 more pages about the kids and their situation would have been great. Defiantly don't wanna meet one of those things. Worth a chance.
March 31, 2012
It was ok, kinda weird. Made me want to read a longer story dealing with the undertaker, his background, and how/why he has the things he does. I think that would be pretty interesting.
April 5, 2012
A nice piece, a bit of a more fresh idea, in the horror genre. Well-written.
January 17, 2013
interesting
March 7, 2013
An interesting concept about a vampire-like creature. The morbid descriptions are vivid and the story is well-written. I wish there was more to the story!
May 19, 2013
Suspense was good. But...The What and How part was really disgusting.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews